Apparatus, method, and system for sealing an object or a plurality of objects in an assembly and sealing said assembly around an aperture

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and system for sealing around an aperture in an enclosure; the aperture through which a plurality of wires, wire harness, or other objects, must pass. Injection of sealant into an assembly secured to the enclosure and about the wires, wire harness, or other objects ensures the components housed in the enclosure may be sealed against adverse effects while not limiting useful connection of the wires contained within the assembly to the enclosed components.

1 . A method of sealing one or more wires or other objects, each wire or other object having a length and opposite ends, at an aperture in an enclosure comprising:
 a. positioning each wire or other object in channels in one piece of a multiple-piece apparatus;   b. clamping the diameter or thickness of an intermediate section of each wire or other object between the one piece and another piece of the apparatus such that the opposite ends of the wire or other object are on opposite sides of the two pieces and available for connection to another component or to a terminal or termination;   c. installing the apparatus at the aperture of the enclosure such that one side of the two pieces abuts the enclosure, one end of the wire or other object extends into the enclosure, and the opposite end of the wire or other object extends out from the opposite side of the two pieces and away from the enclosure; and   d. injecting sealant into the apparatus such that:
 a. each wire or other object is sealed in its clamped position in the apparatus; and 
 b. the apparatus is sealed against the enclosure at and around the aperture. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein attached to at least one end of the one or more wires or other objects is a terminal, termination, or connector that is larger than the diameter or thickness of the wire or other object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sealant is flowable in a first state and cures to an adhering and resilient but non-flowable state. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the sealant is injected into the apparatus at multiple locations in the apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . A method of installing one or more wires or other objects from outside to inside an enclosure box through an aperture in the enclosure box comprising:
 a. clamping or positioning a portion of each wire or other object between two pieces such that opposite ends of the wire or other object are on opposite sides of the two pieces and available for connection to another component or to a terminal or termination;   b. installing the pieces at the aperture of the enclosure box;   c. channeling a sealant around each wire or other object so that a seal may be made between the outside and inside of the enclosure box at the aperture and at each wire or other object;   d. channeling the sealant around a portion of the pieces adjacent to the aperture of the enclosure box to seal the pieces at the aperture of the enclosure box;   e. channeling the sealant between the pieces to seal and connect the pieces;   f. so that a sealed interface is created between the pieces and the enclosure box, between the wires or other objects and the pieces, and between the pieces.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the number of wires or other objects is variable. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the variability comprises providing a plurality of receivers for a given number of wires or other objects and selecting from one to the given number for clamping between the pieces each in a receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising a plug for each receiver not used for a wire or other object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising attaching a terminal or termination to at least one end of a said wire or other object prior to clamping between the two pieces. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for interfacing one or more wires or other objects between the outside and inside of an enclosure box through an aperture in the enclosure box comprising:
 a. first and second pieces each having complimentary portions forming a plurality of cavities through the pieces when assembled, the cavities adapted to receive a portion of a wire or other object so that opposite ends of each wire or other object are free and exposed on opposite sides of the pieces;   b. the cavities being pre-formed to have portions in fluid communication with adjacent cavities when the pieces are assembled;   c. a pre-formed channel of larger perimeter dimensions than the aperture of the enclosure box and in fluid communication with at least a cavity;   d. a pre-formed channel between the pieces in fluid communication with at least one cavity;   e. a sprue in fluid communication with at least one cavity;   f. so that sealant may be introduced into the sprue and flow through all cavities, the pre-formed channel of larger perimeter dimensions than the aperture, and the other channels to seal the wires or other objects in the pieces, seal the pieces to the enclosure box when mounted at the aperture, and seal the pieces to each other.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a second sprue such that sealant may be introduced into both sprues and flow through all cavities until a desired resistance to sealant introduction is reached. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a termination or terminal operatively connected to at least one end of a said wire or other object prior to placement in a receiver. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the wires or other objects are adapted for operative connection inside the enclosure box to one or more electrical or electronic components. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a first formation of crush ribs of larger perimeter dimensions than the aperture but of smaller perimeter dimensions than the pre-formed channel of larger perimeter dimensions than the aperture and a second formation of crush ribs of larger perimeter dimensions than the pre-formed channel of larger perimeter dimensions than the aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising one or more pieces having structure to nest between the first and second pieces, and including complementary portions that create cavities with the first and second pieces similar to described in  claim 10 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of sealing plural wires which pass from outside to inside an enclosure box through an aperture in the enclosure box comprising:
 a. laying or positioning the wires across a first member;   b. assembling a second member to the first member across opposite sides of the wires laying or positioned in the first member;   c. attaching the assembled first and second members to the enclosure box at the aperture;   d. directing a flowable substance through the assembled first and second members to:
 a. seal the wires in the assembled first and second members; 
 b. seal the assembled first and second members; 
 c. seal the assembled first and second members to the enclosure box. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the wires comprise first and second subsets of wires, the first subset of wires positioned between the first member and a third member adapted to be assembled between the first and second members, the second subset of wires positioned between the second member and the third member, thereafter assembling the first, second, and third members and mounting the assembled first, second, and third members to the enclosure box, thereafter directing a flowable substance through the assembled first, second, and third members to:
 a. seal the wires in the assembled first, second, and third members; 
 b. seal the assembled first, second, and third members; 
 c. seal the assembled first, second, and third members to the enclosure box.